ABOUT KIDS ESCAPING DRUGS – RENAISSANCE CAMPUS
Established in 1987, Kids Escaping Drugs (KED) operates the first residential treatment facility exclusively for adolescents struggling with drug and alcohol addiction in Western New York. Its Renaissance Campus in Buffalo hosts three gender-specific facilities, where long-term recovery services are provided, including treatment for individuals experiencing co-occurring mental health disorders. KED is one of 238 substance abuse treatment facilities throughout New York with specially tailored programs for adolescents.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
KED’s four-phased treatment approach supports adolescents and young adults through the process of self-motivation, education, planning, and skills development and practice. Residents participate in individual and group therapy, physical activity, and art therapy, as well as vocational counseling and preparation.
While in treatment, clients continue their education on-site by working with certified New York State teachers who coordinate with each student’s home school district. Family members are encouraged to attend weekly group education sessions and biweekly meetings with their loved one’s counselor.
KED also cooperates with drug court programs to provide alternatives for individuals facing legal issues. The center’s Face2Face education and community outreach program is a proactive initiative to promote adolescent sobriety.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Information on the facility’s website is limited regarding its treatment staff. Counselors and a medical team are referenced without qualification details. Data from two alumni and a loved one polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing indicated all were satisfied with the level of staff experience and training.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Renaissance Campus has three “home-like” buildings for 62 residents in total. Renaissance House has space for 30 adolescent males from 12 to 17 years of age, Promise House accommodates 16 young men from 18 to 20 years, and Stepping Stones has beds for 16 adolescent females. The complex also has an Academic Center with classrooms and a full gym and a Resource Center for campus support programs.
Located just east of Interstate 90, the facility is situated on a tree-lined lot. A January 2017 press release on KED’s website announced state funding and expansion plans to provide 15 more beds on campus in response to the area’s opiate addiction epidemic.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Two former clients polled by Best-rehabs.com to date offered mixed feedback about KED’s Renaissance Campus. One alum, H.P.G., gave two stars for the facility’s counseling options, though offered four stars for the level of family participation. H.P.G. cited group meetings as a strength, but noted there was no individual counseling. The other alum identified counselors’ high level of involvement as a strength, but didn’t “feel like it was worth the money.” The alum gave a one-star rating for the likelihood they’d recommend the facility.
On secondary sites, KED’s Renaissance Campus received mainly favorable feedback, including 4.1 out of five stars based on seven reviews on Google reviews.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The two loved one polled by Best-rehabs.com to date offered consistently positive feedback. One anonymous loved one awarded perfect five-star ratings for the facility’s affordability, cleanliness, co-occurring disorder treatment, counseling options, and level of family participation. Karen, a mother of a client, wrote: “I thank God for the coping/life skills that she has learned from spending time in this recovery center!”
FINANCING
According to KED’s website, Renaissance Campus recognizes commercial insurance plans and accepts Medicaid. Financial assistance is available.